South Korea trounces UAE 4-1

South Korea scored a decisive 4-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Dubai International Soccer Tournament in Dubai, Sunday.

It was the South Korean national team¡¯s second victory since Guus Hiddink took over as coach a month ago and avenged its defeat to the host country in a penalty shootout at the LG Cup Championship in Dubai last October. South Korea¡¯s win over UAE made it one win and a draw in the four-nation tournament with one game left against Denmark.

Compared to its first game with Morocco on Feb. 9, which ended in a 1-1 draw, the Korean side was much better organized. The defense led by Hong Myung-Bo and Lee Min-sung was stable, with their passes connecting accurately to the midfielders.

Hong and Lee frequently went on the attack by stringing accurate passes to forwards and wings, while Ko Jong-Soo and Song Jong-Guk frequently joined the defenders in the backfield.

On the whole, the Korean players looked to be adapting their Dutch head coach`s "4-4-2¡¯¡¯ system.

The Koreans allowed the opener of the match to UAE¡¯s Abdulsalam Juma in the 24th minute of the first half, but never became frustrated, gradually intensifying their offense against the host team.

Rookie Song Jong-Guk notched the equalizer during injury time in the first half. Picking up the ball after it was deflected by a UAE defender, Song fired a sizzling a 25-meter mid-range shot from the right of the penalty box for the score.

The Koreans dominated the second half with a flurry of goals. Yoo Sang-Chul made a beautiful header in the 20th minute after the ball was centered by Kim Do-Hoon to make it 2-1.

Seol Ki-Hyeon, who arrived in Dubai from Belgium early in the day, was set up by Kim Do-Hoon for the team`s third goal from just in front of the goalmouth.

Ko Jong-Su ended the scoring with a trademark left-foot shot with just minutes left to on the clock. Kim Do-Hoon again set up the score.

Yonhap